MORFOMETRIA DO RÚMEN DE PEQUENOS RUMINANTES

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.3441225090612

• Palavras-chave: Morfologia, compartimentos do rúmen, morfometria, caprinos, ovinos

• Keywords: Morphology; rumen compartments; morphometry; goats; sheep

• Abstract: This study aimed to quantify ruminal morphology in small ruminants. Ten rumens from goats and sheep were collected at abattoirs in Bom Jesus, Piauí, Brazil. The material was taken to the Animal Anatomy Laboratory of UFPI/CPCE (Federal University of Piauí), where internal and external measurements of the ruminal compartment were obtained using a measuring tape and surgical instruments, and the frequency of occurrence of ruminal grooves and pillars was recorded. Anatomical specimens were photographed with a digital camera, and results are presented as mean ± standard deviation. The right dorsal coronary groove was observed in 50% (5/10) of the animals; in those specimens, it measured 2.9 ± 0.82 cm in length. On the right surface, the longitudinal groove measured 15.9 ± 3.48 cm and the ventral coronary groove 15.4 ± 2.93 cm. On the left surface, the longitudinal groove measured 17.15 ± 4.21 cm, the dorsal coronary groove 3.35 ± 1.22 cm, and the ventral coronary groove 14.95 ± 4.24 cm. The right dorsal coronary pillar was absent in 100% of the animals examined. Pillar lengths were as follows: right longitudinal pillar, 10.2 ± 2.20 cm; ventral coronary pillar, 12.6 ± 1.64 cm; left longitudinal pillar, 6.0 ± 2.53 cm; left dorsal coronary pillar, 3.35 ± 1.22 cm; and left ventral coronary pillar, 9.15 ± 1.88 cm. Overall, ruminal grooves did not match the lengths of the corresponding pillars, as grooves were longer; furthermore, unlike what is reported for cattle, not all grooves described in the literature were identified in these small ruminants.